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8-13-2026 12:49am
Police Log: Police Seek Help Identifying Suspects, Google Translate Used in Arrest, and Other Incidents
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The news described in this installment of Westwood Minute's weekly Police Log article series is primarily based on selected incidents from the Westwood Police Department's daily log and information provided by Detective Lieutenant Christopher Aylward and police staff to Westwood Minute through written records and conversations. Occasionally, Westwood Minute may incorporate facts that it obtains from other sources into these stories.
Monday, August 3
Dover Police Seek Help Identifying Vandalism Suspects
10:03 a.m. Westwood Police received a call from Hale Education on Carby Street regarding vandalism. Flags had been ripped up and burned on the property. Because the incident took place in the part of Hale that is located in the Town of Dover, Westwood Police referred the case to Dover Police.
In a Facebook post later that day, Dover Police requested the public's assistance in identifying individuals who police say unlawfully entered Hale's property and caused property damage on Sunday, August 2, between 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
Parent Concerned about Sale of Smoking Devices
9:26 p.m. A resident of Gay Street contacted 911 to report that she believed someone was selling electronic smoking devices to her child.
Sunday, August 2
Escorting Norwood Ambulance with "Combative" Passenger
11:19 p.m. Police responded to the area of Summer and Grove streets where a Norwood Fire Department ambulance was parked on the side of the road. Norwood Fire had called for Westwood Police assistance due to a “combative” grandmother who was riding along with the patient in the ambulance. At Norwood Fire's request, Westwood Police followed the ambulance into Needham.
Unregistered Door-to-Door Salesperson
11:25 a.m. While away on vacation, a resident of Far Reach Road observed on her security camera that someone riding a Segway came onto her property and approached her front door. She sent the video to police who determined that the visitor appeared to be an employee of a pest control company who was not registered for door-to-door soliciation.
Saturday, August 1
Phone Scammer Asks Resident for Family Information
10:46 p.m. A resident of Westwood Glen Road reported a phone scam after being contacted by a person claiming to be a representative of “AIG Insurance” who accused her of submitting fraudulent insurance claims. The caller connected the resident to an alleged “captain” and “sergeant” from the “Department of Justice” who told the resident she was in a lot of trouble but that they would work with her to clear her. The suspected scammers questioned the resident about her relatives, their addresses, and occupations. The resident became suspicious and ended the call, and reported the incident to police.
Report of Erratic Driver
11:33 p.m. Police received a report of an erratic driver on Route 1, headed into Dedham. Police alerted Dedham Police to the information.
Friday, July 31
Fraudster Places More Than $2,000 in Craft Store Purchases on Victim's Credit Card
9:59 a.m. A Boston resident reported fraudulent use of her credit card at the Michaels store on University Avenue. She reported that five different transactions were made totaling $2,745. Upon discovering the transactions, she notified her bank and the store, and was now reporting the incident to police.
Dedham Resident Suspected of Shoplifting is Trespassed
11:56 a.m. Police received a call from loss prevention staff at the Target store on University Avenue, who reported observing an individual concealing merchandise and attempting to leave without paying. A staff member apprehended the suspect, who had taken health and beauty items valued at $150. The individual, a Dedham resident, was trespassed from the store.
Possible Homeless Encampment Reported
2:05 p.m. A Medfield resident reported sighting a possible homeless encampment while he was taking a walk in the area of Railroad Avenue and Route 1.
Norwood Resident Suspected of Concealing Merchandise in Purse
2:41 p.m. Loss prevention staff reported having detained a suspected shoplifter. Staff believed the Norwood resident concealed underwear, socks, and skincare items valued at $170 in her purse and tried to leave without paying. She was apprehended and trespassed from the store. Police charged the suspect with shoplifting.
Lobster Is the Loot
6:10 p.m. Wegmans supermarket reported that on July 30, two males placed $500 worth of lobster in a shopping cart and fled the store. They are believed to have left in a light-colored sedan.
Thursday, July 30
Suspect Observed Concealing Items Inside Umbrella
12:58 p.m. Police responded to the Target store on University Avenue where a female was reported to have fled after being confronted for suspected shoplifting. Staff observed her walking through the store, reportedly concealing items inside an umbrella before exiting the store without paying. Upon being confronted, she ran away. She is believed to have stolen health and beauty items totaling $78.
Lost or Stolen License Plate
3:22 p.m. A resident of the Gables University Station apartments reported a lost or stolen license plate. He had been out of town for about one month and had left his motorcycle parked in the apartment complex garage. He reported the plate was missing upon his return.
Wednesday, July 29
Expired Handicap Placard Is Confiscated
6:34 p.m. An officer observed a vehicle with a Massachusetts license plate and an out-of-state handicap placard that was parked outside the Target store on University Avenue. Upon investigation, the officer learned that the handicap placard was issued in Georgia and had expired two months earlier. The driver, a Boston resident, informed the officer that the placard belonged to a family member who was shopping. The officer issued the driver a verbal warning for using an expired placard, which was confiscated.
Parking Lot Vandalism
6:44 p.m. Police received a report of vandalism from a customer of Wegmans supermarket on University Avenue. The complainant reported that after shopping, she returned home and noticed a large scratch on the trunk of her 2022 Lexus SUV.
Tuesday, July 28
Using Google Translate to Make an Arrest
5:11 p.m. An officer conducting traffic enforcement in the area of Providence Highway and Glacier Drive queried the license plate of a passing blue Toyota Camry and discovered that it had a suspended registration. Upon making the traffic stopped, the officer identified the driver as a Boston resident. There was a language barrier in communication which was solved by the use of Google Translate. The officer also learned that the driver had a suspended license. The driver was arrested for operating a motor vehicle after a license suspension and later released on personal recognizance.
Tires Stolen from Car Dealership
7:01 p.m. A car dealership on Providence Highway reported the theft of tires from a locked and gated storage area. A male was seen taking the tires. Upon being confronted by staff who directed him not to take the tires, the man reportedly did not seem to understand. He placed them in his vehicle and left.
Monday, July 27
Good Citizens Return Lost Wallet and Contents
6:29 a.m. Police received a wallet that was found near Westwood Main Library on High Street. It contained the owner’s maritime identification and police contacted the cadet, a Medfield resident, who retrieved the wallet. Over the course of the next few days, a credit card and additional items belonging to the cadet were also found and dropped off at the police station.
Car Damaged in Golf Club Parking Lot
11:58 a.m. A Dedham resident reported that his car had been vandalized overnight, after he left it in the parking lot of Norfolk County Golf Club, following a golf tournament. When he returned to his car the next day, he reportedly found damage to the rear passenger door.
Thanks to Detective Lieutenant Christopher Aylward and Westwood Police Department for sharing information for this Westwood Minute article.
